Security is one of the major concerns when the George Zimmerman trial begins on June 10 bringing hundreds of people to the Seminole County Courthouse every day.
“This has the makings of some problems,” said private investigator and former courthouse deputy Jamie Copenhaver.
People from all over the world are expected to flood into Sanford for one of the most widely anticipated trials in U.S. history.
That means law enforcement must be ready for anything law enforcement agencies, like the Sanford Police Department, are stepping up patrols.
“We have essentially made sure that any vacations or furloughs have been cancelled, and there will probably be additional officers out on the street,” said Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith.
“The sooner we get to the trial, I guarantee you they are walking through this, and getting a feel as to what it’s going to be like and they’re prepared,” said Copenhaver.
A stepped up police presence will be all around the area of the courthouse.
On Highway 17-92, one of the busiest roads through Seminole County, the sheriff’s office plans to have a deputy stationed to help direct traffic near the courthouse.
“They’re going to have what you call an outer perimeter around that courthouse, which means just that, they’re going to take a view 360 around the courthouse and look for potential problems. More importantly, your principal will be the trial. You’re going to have inner security. That’s going to be locked down just like it was in the Anthony trial.”
Copenhaver said there could be even more to watch out for during the George Zimmerman Trial with people representing several different groups expected to show up.
“I think it’s going to be magnified by about four or five times due to now we have gun control. An issue in gun control, people wanting gun control,” he said.
Members of the public and demonstrators will be kept in a grassy area in front of the courthouse. Deputies will have barricades set up down the middle and keep a close eye on what goes on.
“I would put undercover people within those groups, and you can hear what they’re planning and what they’re talking about doing, which would give you a little time to react, if it was an evil plan,” Copenhaver said.
The influx of people will be visible across Sanford. The new police chief is urging people to help officers keep an eye out.
“They’re looking out to make sure that we don’t have people who are starting to congregate in locations, we don’t have people that are starting to riot, or do anything to cause a major disturbance in town,” said Chief Smith.
It’s still unclear if groups will gather in downtown Sanford like the rallies in the weeks after the Trayvon Martin shooting. At this point,
Sanford police said the parks will be open like normal.
“It’s my goal right now to appeal to the community, to say that we need to make sure that our ‘house’ is safe, our homes are safe, that our people are safe, and that we continue to live our lives as we normally do on a daily basis,” Chief Smith added.
The court has issued guidelines regard where the public can assemble.
Click the images to see the outlined areas designated for protests.